Question Number: 27195

Law 11 - Offside 2/22/2013

RE: Adult

Chinmaya of bangalore, india asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24617

I have a doubt.Suppose 2 players of team X(a,b) are in offside position but player 'c' is not when the ball is played. Now is it called offside offence if player 'c' scores the goal?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It could be, if A or B interfere with an opponent - for example, if one of them blocks the sight of the ball from the goalkeeper.

Generally if C takes the ball in himself, and A and B do not play the ball, there is no offside - with the exception of interference as noted above.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Chinmaya
It is not an offence to be in an offside position. So a player in an offside position has to do something more to be penalised such as either touching the ball or interfering with an opponent.
If A&B are in an offside and 'do nothing' then there is no offence and if a player in an onside position in this case C plays the ball and scores, the goal is allowed.
In your example if A or B stood in front of the goalkeeper, blocking his view or the players prevent a defender from playing the ball then that will be called offside.
IFAB the body that makes the Laws is expected to clarify this in March at its annual meeting whereby the player in an offside position will have to either challenge for the ball or to obstruct the line of vision to be called offside.